KidzFair’s first event in Bishop’s Stortford gave Jackson Square visitors a chance to start their Christmas shopping early.
Young entrepreneurs, aged from eight to 15, impressed customers with the range and quality of their creations.
In all, 11 stalls offering gifts and treats from cake to crystals filled the precinct’s central atrium.
Each youngster went home with a boost to their bank balance. Sawbridgeworth artist and Reedings Primary School pupil Marcel Daniluk made over £500 with his paintings and prints while other youngsters revised their stock, improved their designs and even invested in card readers to maximise their profits.
The mayor, Cllr Dave Anderson, said: “It gave me great pleasure to spend the day with such inspirational entrepreneurs at the KidzFair Christmas at Jackson Square.
“To experience such enthusiasm and drive is a sure promise of the even greater things that are yet to come from these creative, business-minded stars, who really need to understand how amazing they truly are.”
The event was organised by Natalia Ivanes and Elena Kraynova and also featured nine-year-old Maria Yakimchuk.
The refugee moved to the UK in May as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme and thrilled crowds with her singing. She has won several competitions in her homeland and Natalia said: “Her voice was an absolute showstopper.”
The mayor and three judges – Charlotte Lewington, of Mente Hermosa Academy, Martin Banns, of enGage Air, and Natalie Brown, of Pizza Express, made three special awards to the youngsters.
Daisy, a 14-year-old student at Birchwood High School, won Best Product for Bea and Beau Crafts; 15-year-old Sophie, who attends Herts and Essex High School, took Best Stand for her Sophie’s Bites display and Crystal Craft vendor Evelyna, a 10-year-old Summercroft primary pupil, got Best Customer Service. All of the stallholders received a certificate of participation and a goodie bag.
Natalia and Elena, both mums of children aged 10 to 14, said: “All of the entrepreneurs who had created their stock for the event worked relentlessly after school and in their spare time, either making jewellery, trying new recipes, coming up with new designs and products or creating reels and promoting over social media.
“All of the children spent not only their precious time, but their birthday savings or took loans from parents and put their faith in their ideas.
“We think this is amazing because even we, adults, do not always have the guts to follow through with our business ideas, either because we’re afraid of taking risks and experiencing failure, or even not being sure where to start.
“That is why we think it’s important to provide children with not only guidance but also a safe and supportive environment where they can apply all those skills.”
The next event in Jackson Square is set to take place in early April next year and KidzFair will return to Dunmow, where the first event took place, on June 10.
